MolBio pass/fail

[mspeedwagon]

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Hi All,

Sorry, this thread may come off as me venting, but that is not the intent. Today, in my molecular biology class they handed out the "sign up for your grade option sheet." I had every intent on taking this class pass/fail as I took it as sort of a biology refresher for the MCAT more so than for a grade (though a high grade wouldn't hurt).

There are 8 kids in the class and 7 of them signed up to take it for a grade. I started an internal debate as I have been doing reasonably well in the class. However, I'm not sure how well. The professor never made it clear what percentage corresponds to what grades. He keeps saying he'll rank kids and assign a grade to the lowest based on his/her quality of work and scale up.

So as the 8th kid to sign the grade option sheet, I signed it pass/fail option as I had intended all along, but something inside of me sort made me feel like I was a failure for taking the class pass/fail when seven other kids were taking it for a grade. I had intended from the start to do it and what reinforced this was that I'm not exactly sure where I stand on the the letter grade scale. I also feel a B+ will hurt me more than an A- will help and molecular biology isn't a pre-req and thus feel like I should stick to the original plan, but man something keeps saying "cop-out" inside my head. I might be able to change my grade option back to for a grade on Thursday.

Thoughts any one?

 

[VCU07]

I think it is reasonable for med schools to ask you why you chose pass/fail. So, be ready to answer that (esp. if all your other classes were graded). It also seems as if the professor has not given you a strict grading scale, which is worrisome. Just based on that fact, I would have prob. chosen pass/fail as well.

 

[mspeedwagon]

Thanks for your input. I'm hopeful that the fact I was working full-time, part-time, traveling and helping my parents move cross-country while taking an intensive summer course will help. Also, I really did only take the class as a bio refresher (I have a degree in biology and mostly good grades in upper levels, but haven't had any other bio [other than biochem which I got an A- in] for several years).

I e-mailed the prof. to ask if he had some sort of numerical number in mind for a A-/B+ cut-off. I have several pass/fail classes from many years ago, but none since my post-bac (this would be the first). I'm planning to apply primarily to D.O. schools so in a worst case I could re-take (I just would rather not spend the money taking the same course twice, unless I absolutely had to). The fact I have no indication how I am doing (A, B, or C (unlikely I'd think) all seem possible) does definitely make me weary of taking this class for a grade. In most classes I have gone into the final knowing I need above XX% to stay in the A range for the class.

I think it is reasonable for med schools to ask you why you chose pass/fail. So, be ready to answer that (esp. if all your other classes were graded). It also seems as if the professor has not given you a strict grading scale, which is worrisome. Just based on that fact, I would have prob. chosen pass/fail as well.

 

[TriagePreMed]

It's a waste of time for you to do that. It would be easier if you paid the $15 fee at Cañada to be an auditing student, you can just get the same experience you seem to be after.

 

[mspeedwagon]

Unfortunately, Canada College classes are not conducive to my schedule (ability to attend once a week in the evening [or twice at the very most, but can't be back to back]). Thanks for the suggestion though (money is less of an issue for me than class schedule and overall time to complete course). I actually thought the class was good and fine tuned my molecular biology knowledge. I'm stuck with the grade vs pass/fail option issue now though.

EDIT: After some back and forth with the professor I have opted to take the class for a grade. As it stands, my midterm was 7 pts below the class average (80 vs 87)... worth 25% of the grade, my problem sets (worth 20%) have been near perfect... my presentation... worth 15% (was well above class average). The final is worth 40% and I should be around the class average. GOD HELP ME!

It's a waste of time for you to do that. It would be easier if you paid the $15 fee at Cañada to be an auditing student, you can just get the same experience you seem to be after.

 

[mspeedwagon]

Thanks for all the advice above. I just received my grade and much to my surprise got an A-, which I'm very happy with.

And now on to Physics.